§ 40-8.7-101. Short Title
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Low-income Energy Assistance Act”. Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 478, § 1, effective May 5.
§ 40-8.7-102. Legislative Declaration
The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that, in order to serve the best interests of the citizens of Colorado and, in particular, to aid low-income citizens of Colorado, there is a need for an energy assistance program to collect an optional low-income energy assistance contribution from utility customers in Colorado. The general assembly […]
§ 40-8.7-103. Definitions
As used in this article 8.7, unless the context otherwise requires: “Alternative energy assistance program” means a program operated by a municipally owned electric and gas utility or cooperative electric association that is not part of the energy assistance program established pursuant to this article. “Customer” means the named holder of an individually metered account […]
§ 40-8.7-104. Energy Assistance Program – Creation – Energy Assistance Contribution – Energy Assistance System Benefit Charge
There is hereby created the low-income energy assistance program to collect and disburse an optional energy assistance contribution and an energy assistance system benefit charge in Colorado in accordance with this article 8.7. Except as otherwise provided in this article 8.7, every utility doing business in Colorado shall participate in the energy assistance program and […]
§ 40-8.7-104.3. Water Assistance Program – Creation – Water Assistance Contribution
On and after September 7, 2021, a water utility doing business in Colorado may participate in a water assistance program created and managed by the organization to provide water utility bill payment assistance to low-income households. A water utility’s voluntary participation in the water assistance program will provide a water utility customer with an opportunity […]
§ 40-8.7-105. Customer Opt-in Provision
The public utilities commission shall determine the mechanism for an opt-in provision whereby the energy assistance contributions described in section 40-8.7-104 will be collected from those customers who give notice of their intent to participate in the energy assistance program. Each utility shall solicit voluntary donations through a check-off mechanism displayed on the monthly remittance […]
§ 40-8.7-105.5. Energy Assistance System Benefit Charge – Repeal
On and after October 1, 2021, and except as provided in section 40-8.7-104 (2.5)(b), each investor-owned energy utility shall include on its customers’ monthly bills a flat energy assistance system benefit charge that a customer is assessed to help finance the low-income energy assistance program. Except as provided in subsections (1)(b)(II) and (1)(b)(III) of this […]
§ 40-8.7-106. Municipally Owned Gas, Electric, and Gas and Electric Utilities and Cooperative Electric Associations
If a municipally owned gas, electric, or gas and electric utility or a cooperative electric association operates an alternative energy assistance program to support its low-income customers with their home energy needs, then the governing body of the municipally owned gas, electric, or gas and electric utility or cooperative electric association may self-certify its alternative […]
§ 40-8.7-107. Disposition of Contributions and Charges
Each utility collecting optional energy assistance contributions pursuant to section 40-8.7-104 (2) and each water utility collecting optional contributions pursuant to section 40-8.7-104.3 (1) shall transfer the money collected to the organization on the following schedule: For the moneys collected during the period of January 1 to March 31 of each year, the utility shall […]
§ 40-8.7-108. Energy Outreach Colorado – Administration of Energy Assistance Contributions and the System Benefit Charge
The organization shall hold and administer all money collected for energy assistance pursuant to this article 8.7 delivered to it by the utilities pursuant to section 40-8.7-107 in a separately identifiable account, which shall be restricted to the purposes set forth in this article 8.7. The organization shall maintain its books and records pertaining to […]
§ 40-8.7-108.5. Energy Outreach Colorado – Administration of Water Assistance Contributions
The organization shall hold and administer all money collected for water assistance pursuant to this article 8.7 delivered to it by water utilities pursuant to section 40-8.7-107 in a separately identifiable account, which shall be restricted to the purposes set forth in this article 8.7. The organization shall maintain its books and records pertaining to […]
§ 40-8.7-109. Low-Income Energy Assistance Program – Eligibility
The organization shall provide energy assistance to individuals and organizations in Colorado. Individuals eligible for low-income energy assistance shall be current or prospective utility customers who: Are certified by the department of human services as qualified to receive financial assistance payments; Are citizens or legal residents of the United States and residents of Colorado; and […]
§ 40-8.7-110. Reports – Repeal
The organization shall submit a written report to the general assembly, the legislative audit committee, and the office of the state auditor on or before March 31 of each year covering the immediately preceding calendar year. The report must include: An itemized account of the money received by the organization from each utility for the […]
§ 40-8.7-111. Jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission
Nothing in this article shall be construed to expand or alter the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission. Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 484, § 1, effective May 5.
§ 40-8.7-112. Department of Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund – Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund – Colorado Energy Office Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund – Creation of – Definitions – Repeal
There is hereby created in the state treasury the department of human services low-income energy assistance fund, which shall be administered by the department of human services. All money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the department of human services for the purpose of increasing available funds under the low-income energy assistance program specified […]